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Notes:* the town of Meddybemps has a population of 142 which is said to approximately triple in the summer (1)† under 5 yearsSite area statistics from 1990 censusZIP code from 1990 censusCounty statistics from 1990 census

No past, current, or future public health hazards are likely because contaminants were detected below levels likely to result in adverse health effects and groundwater remediation is underway at the site. No on-site use of groundwater has been identified, therefore contact with on-site groundwater is an incomplete exposure pathway.

Surface Soil

Eastern Surplus

Surface Soil

Contaminated on-site areas , including VOC and PCB hot spots

Incidental ingestion, Dermal contact

Trespassers, Past on-site residents and workers

Past, Current, Future

The site is fenced to prevent site access; therefore, no exposures are expected. Remedial actions have removed areas of soil contamination and no adverse health effects are expected from exposures to surface soil. Past exposures to on-site residents, workers, or trespassers cannot be evaluated because data to characterize surface soil contamination before MEDEP, EPA, and DOD conducted remedial actions in the 1980s and 1990s are unavailable.

Surface water and sediment in Meddy-bemps Lake and Dennys River

Eastern Surplus

Surface water, Sediment

Meddybemps Lake, Dennys River (including Mill Pond)

Incidental ingestion, Dermal contact

Recreational users

Past, Current, Future

Contact with contaminants in surface water and sediment in Meddybemps Lake and Dennys River (including Mill Pond) is unlikely to result in adverse health effects. Contaminants are present below levels likely to result in health effects, exposures are infrequent, and remedial actions have been conducted to prevent contaminant migration.

Surface water from Meddy-bemps Lake as drinking water

Eastern Surplus

Surface water

Meddybemps Lake

Ingestion, Dermal Contact

Summer residents

Past, Current, Future

Some summer residents are reported to use surface water from Meddybemps Lake as a drinking water source. Only antimony was found slightly above comparison values in a background sample from Meddybemps Lake. Ingestion of antimony at the maximum detected concentration for 3 to 4 months a year is unlikely to result in adverse health effects. Ongoing remediation at the site will further prevent site impacts to the lake. No past, current, of future use of lake water for drinking water by summer residents is likely to result in adverse health effects.

Air

Eastern Surplus

Air

Site vicinity

Inhalation

Nearby residents, Trespassers

Past, Current, Future

No air contaminants were detected off site, even during remedial activities. No data, however, are available to assess past airborne contamination when the site was active.

Biota

Eastern Surplus

Plants, Animals, Fish, Shellfish

Plants and animals from the site, Fish and shellfish from Meddybemps Lake and Dennys River

Ingestion

Recreational users, including the Passamaquoddy Tribe

Past, Current, Future

Current and future use of biota from Meddybemps Lake and Denny's River is unlikely to result in adverse health effects when following the state-wide fish consumption advisory. EPA and the Passamaquoddy tribe plan to meet to identify any plants they may use for medicinal or other purposes on the site. Remedial actions were implemented to reduce site contamination and prevent contaminant migration. Potential health hazards from former (prior to 1970) tribal subsistence gathering, hunting, and fishing are unknown because no data were collected to characterize site conditions before remediation in the 1980s and 1990s.

Physical hazards

Eastern Surplus

Physical hazard

Former hydroelectric power unit

Physical hazard

Trespassers

Past, Current, Future

A dilapidated hydroelectric unit spans Dennys River along the southern site shoreline. Access from the west is restricted by a fence surround the site, but access from the east is unrestricted.

Five fish samples, representing different ages and sizes, were collected from each of seven different sampling locations. The fillets from each fish were analyzed individually. The maximum concentrations, therefore, represents the concentration found in an individual fish.

Analysis results were normalized for lipid and moisture content using statistical models to allow for data comparisons across results.

Smallmouth bass were collected from each sampling location, except DS01BT and DS02BT, where brook trout were collected.

Whole body results were generated either through analysis of the whole body fish sample or the combined results from separate analyses of the fish fillet and carcass samples.

Ten fish samples, representing different ages and sizes, were collected from each of seven different sampling locations and analyzed individually. Of the ten samples collected from each location, five samples were analyzed as whole body and five samples were analyzed separately as a fillet (see Table 9) and carcass. The maximum concentrations represents the concentration found in an individual fish.

Analysis results were normalized for lipid and moisture content using statistical models to allow for data comparisons across results.

Four fish species were collected for analysis: smallmouth bass (fillet and carcass), brook trout (fillet and carcass), pumpkinseed (whole body), and white sucker (whole body). Maximum concentrations of PCBs, chromium, and mercury were found in smallmouth bass; 4,4'-DDE and dieldrin in brown trout; arsenic in pumpkinseed; and lead in white sucker.

Each sample represents a composite of five mussels of similar size and species collected from one sampling location.

Analysis results were normalized for lipid and moisture content using statistical models to allow for data comparisons across results.

Two mussel species were collected for analysis: eastern elliptio and alewife floater. Maximum concentrations of arsenic, barium, iron, lead, manganese, and mercury were found in eastern elliptio; and maximum concentrations of PCBs, cadmium, and chromium were found in alewife floater.